The two Northern Irishmen teamed up at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales and the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah outside Chicago, both European victories, but some observers thought the lawsuit might cause a chill between the longtime friends.

Yes, it has been a rough time over the last couple of years on the business side of things for both me and Rory because he has been involved in a lawsuit with my management company.

And it certainly has put a stress on our relationship, but we have put those things behind us this year. If anything, our friendship has been strengthened by what we have experienced.

We have talked about it and we would certainly love to renew our partnership again.

McDowell did not play in the Wales Open this week, choosing instead to spend time with his wife and new baby daughter in Orlando. However, McDowell said he and the other Orlando-based European players had special Ryder Cup practice sessions at Lake Nona.

There is always a special bond between us Europeans and I have been experiencing it already in my preparations for Gleneagles. It was a tough decision not to play at the Welsh Open, but with our baby so young I knew where I should be and that was at home.

I also knew I would have company back in Lake Nona with my teammates Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson. We created a Ryder Cup practice area at the back of the range, getting out our Centenary Course yardage books and recreating the shots we will need.